I received an email to pay my deposit to a new bank account — is it a scam?

You receive an email — apparently from the conveyancer or estate agent — asking you to pay your deposit to a new bank account. Stop. This is almost certainly fraud.

How the scam works

Fraudsters intercept or spoof email communication in a legitimate transaction. They send a convincing email with new banking details — often timed just before the deposit is due. Buyers pay into the fraudulent account. The money is gone within hours.

What to do immediately

1. Do not pay until banking details are verified by phone
2. Call the conveyancer's office on their published main number — not the number in the email
3. Confirm account details with the attorney you met in person
4. Report the email to the law firm and to SAPS
5. Alert the other party to the transaction

Prevention

At your first meeting with the conveyancer, confirm banking details in person and ask for a written trust account confirmation. Treat any email changing banking details as suspicious until independently verified. No legitimate firm will object to you calling to confirm.